Tractor or the like



Au 7, 1923. mmw L. B. HORTON TRACTOR OR THE LIKE Filed July 22 1919 5Sheets-Sheet 1 Fqy/ H TTOFA/f Y5.

Aug. 7, 1923. 1,463,817

L. B. HORTON TRACTOR OR THE LIKE Filed July 22, 1919 5 Sheets-Sheet 2ATTOR/VZYS,

Aug. 7', 11923. L MBEW 1.. B. HORTON TRACTOR OR THE LIKE Filed July 22,1919 5 Sheets-Sheet 5.

Web 532;;

Aug. 7, 1923. 11,463,817

1.. B. HORTON TRACTOR OR THE LIKE Filed July 22 1919 Sheets-heet 4ATTOF/VEKE Aug.7,1923.

L.B.HORTON TRACTOR OR THE LIKE Filed July 22, 1919 5 Sheets-Sheet 5//VVE/V TOR Fate-rated Aug. 7, TFEBO mean #1 i; E o

LYMAN B. JEUDRTON, 01F OLEAN, NEW YURK.

rniacron on ran time application filed July 22, 1919. Serial lilo.312,53

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, LYMAN B. Hon'ron, acitizen of the United States, residing at Olean, in the county ofCattaraugus and State of New .York, have invented a new and usefulImprovement in Tractors or the like, of-which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to tractors of the kind which can be used forgeneral farm and road purposes.

The objects of this invention are to provide a tractor of this kind inwhich the frame is arched or bowed in such a manner that the middleportion of the frame is sufficiently high topermit the tractor to beused for cultivating or analogous purposes between rows of plants; also.to provide a tractor ofvthis kind in which the frame is of rigidstructure so that a single wheel cannot sink into a mud hole" or softplace in a field or road; alsoto provide a device of this kind withseparate means for propelling each of the driving wheels; also toprovide a connection between the steering mechanism and the propellingmeans for throwing one or another of the propelling devices out ofoperation when the steering mechanism is placed into a position to makea short turn; also to provide a tractor which can be readily changed foruse either in fields or on a road; also to improve devices of this kindin other respects hereinafter specified.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a tractor equipped for use on a road.

Fig. 2 is a similar view thereof showing the tractor adaptedfor' use ina field.

Fig. 3 is a topplan view thereof.

Fig. 4 is at front elevation thereof.

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional elevation thereof on an enlargedscale, the front portion of the tractor being omitted.

Fig. 6 is a top plan view, partly in section, of the middle portion ofthe tractor.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary transverse seetional elevation thereof on line77, Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentarydetail view of a part of a demountable tractorwheel on line 8--8, Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary longitudinal seetional elevation thereof on line99, Fig.

11, showing the steering mechanism.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary view similar to frame C is arranged.

Fig. 9,'showing the lock for the steering mechanism in an inoperativeposition! Fig. 11 is a fraentary sectional plan view thereof on line11-11, Fig. 9.

Fig. 12 is a transverse sectional elevation thereof on line 12.'12, Fig.11-. Fig. 13 is a fragmentary sectional plan view thereof on line 13-13,Fig. 9.

Fig. 1a is a perspective view of a key or pm by means of which the lockfor the steerinmechanism may be rendered inoperative. riefly stated, thetractor frame shown in the drawings comprises two rigid sides on thefront and rear portions of which the wheels are arranged. The sides arecon nected. by an arch-shaped frame member, rigidly secured to the sideportions of the tractor. Each of the two sides is provided between thefront and rear wheels with an enlarged portion or compartment in which apower plant or driving mechanism is arranged, two substantiallyindependent power plants being preferably employed in the tractor. Thesteering mechanism of the tractor is preferably so constructed that thetractor can be steered either from points in rear of thetractor by meansof lines, or by means of a steering wheel or other dewere on thetractor, and means are provided whereby the steering gear when placedinto a position to make a short turn, will disconnect one or another ofthe driving mechanisms from its corresponding driving wheel.

A and A represent the two side frames of the tractor which are connectedby means of an arch-shaped connecting member 13. Each of the sidemembers includes a rear frame member consisting of a plate u. havingreinforcing angle-shaped members a secured to the upper, rear and frontedges thereof, and the front section of each side frame comprises aplate 0: havingangle irons a secured around the edges thereof,

the angle irons of the rear and front frame sections being preferablysecured to both sides of the plates (1 0. At the front portion of thefront section a substantially vertical bearing a is arranged in which anupright pivot or shaft 0 of the front wheel This wheel frame preferablyconsists of a housing for the upper portion of the wheel C which forms amud guard thereforand to the lower edges of which the opposite ends of aspring 0' tit) Elli!) The front and rear frame sections of each sideframe are preferably connected by means of a housing D which, in theconstruction shown, is also made of steel plates,

and in which an engine and other rts of the driving mechanism arearrange an enine being preferably provided. in each side rame of thetractor.

The transverse frame member B referably includes two arch-shaped mem rsb b which are preferably of channel cross-see tion, the longest webs ofthe channels beln'g arranged in a substantially vertlcal plane. Thechannels, I) b are secured respectively to the angle irons a on the rearframe sect1ons and a of the front frame sections. The front and rearsections of each side member are also connected by a member 6 whichforms the base of the engine and other driving parts' of the tractor.

he plates a of the rear side sectlons are provided with recesses orslots 0 extending upwardly from the lower edges of the plates and eachof these recesses contains a bearing E for a stud axle or shaft e towhich a rear wheel E is secured. The bearing E is supported from theside frame by means of a spring e, the opposite ends of which aresecured to brackets e mounted on the an 1e irons a of the rear sideframe section. 11 order to securelyhold the bearing E on the side frameand permit a limited movement thereof, due to the compression of thespring e, the following construction is preferably em loyed: p 1

ach bearing E is provided with two arms, an arm e which extendssubstantially in a horizontal direction and which is pivoted at its endto the rear framesection, as shown ate, in such a manneras to permit thebearing to swing upwardl and downwardly about the pivot e". T e otherarm 6, .see Figs 5 and 7, extends substantially u right and is securedat its ends to the p ate a in such a manner as to ermit this arm to movesidewise and lengt wise with regard to the plate, so as to permit thebearing to move relativel to the frame in accordance with the de ectionsof the spring e. The two arms 6 and e are preferably arranged atopposite sides of the plate a and by having their ends secured to theplate a rigid and strong construction is ensured. In order to holdthe-upper end of the arm e in place with reference to the plate a and topermit the arm to move in a substantially vertical plane, parallel tothe plane of the plate a, a substantiaEU-shaped holdin or hearing membere is emplo ed Each driving wheel E is preferably provided with a rubbertire f which is used when the vehicle is operating on a road, and it isdesirable to provide a tractor wheel F which may be applied to the wheelE' without removing the latter from the stud axle. In the constructionshown for this purpose, the hub of the wheel E is provided with drivingprojections f, see Fig. 8, which are adapted to engage-with the disk fof the tractor'wheel F, the hub cap or nut f which holds the wheel E onthe stud axle e being preferably also used for holding the tractor wheelF on the hub of the road wheel E.

The tractor wheel is provided with a wide" tread and is referablyprovided with cleats ,Wheels of any other construction may be used ifdesire The tractor may be used either for plowing or other farm purposesor, if desired, the tractor may be used on a road. When used for roadpurposes, a body G having a top 9 is preferably secured to the oppositeside frames in any suitable manner and a seat can be arranged in thebody G between the two side frames. A hood 9' may be used to improve theappearance of the vehicle and a mud-guard 2 may also be suitably a liedto exten over each of the wheels The space between the two con-- nectingframe members-b and b is referably occupied by tanks 9 g, whic may beused for fuel and for water for coolin the en ines. When the tractor isto be use for p owing or cultivating or analogous purposes, the body,top, mud-guard and hood shown in Fig. 1, are removed. The tractor thencan be used for cultivating or analogous purposes between rows of grainor other produce which has grown to a considerable height, since thearched construction of the connecting frame or member B permits thetractor to straddle a row or rows of plants, the front and rear wheelstracking in the space between the rows.

The upright pivots c of the front wheels are provided with steeringknuckles or arms h h which extend inwardly with regard to naeaeir thetractor. The steering lmuckle h is connected by means of a link k to arack bar it which is moved toeffect the steering of the vehicle by meansof a steering gear H meshing with the rack bar it of the steering arm71. and with a rack bar h connected by means of a link'h to a curved orarchshaped lever h the other end of which is connected by means ofalinkIt to the steering knuckle or arm 71,. The lever h is pivoted at i toswing about a substantially horizontal pivot soth-at when the rack bar72. is actuated to cause the link it to pushthe lower end of the lever houtwardly, the other lower end of the lever to which the link it isconnected will also be moved outwardly and turn the steering knuckle itconnected therewith. In this manner the turning of the steering gear inone direction oranother causes the two front wheels to be simultaneouslymoved in thesame direction. The

rackr bars k k are suitably guided in a housing It.

The actuation of the steering mechanism may be eflected either by meansof a steering wheel I secured on a steering shaft 2' to which thesteering gear H is also secured, or by means of lines or cords,connected by suitable devices to the steering gear H. The steering wheelI is preferabl used when the tractor is used on a road. on the tractoris used for field work, it is desirable to provide means whereby thetractor can be steered by an operator riding on the plow, cultivator, orother device drawn by the tractor. This is efiected by means of twolines or cords i i which may be used by the operator in a manner similarto the use of lines for driving a horse. The lines are provided at theirends with connections i one of which is connected to one end of asteering yoke or member i which is loosely pivoted on the steering shaft21 so asto swing freely about the shaft. The other connection i ispivotally arranged on the end of a crank arm i secured to a rock shaft iwhich is journaled in the steering yoke 11*. When the steering lines 2"i are slack, means are preferably provided for holding the steeringmechanism in the position in which it is set, so that it is only,necessary to actuate the lines when it is desiredgto change thedirection of movement of the tractor. For this purpose a locking dog orlatch 7g is provided which is slidably mounted in a part of the guidehousing h of the steering mechanism, and which is yieldingly held bymeans of a spring k in looking engagement with the gear H. This lockingdog may be thrown out of its locking position by means .of a ring-shapedmember K which extends through a hole or slot in" the locking dog is.The ring member K is connected with the rock shaft i by means of arms iswhich are rigidly secured to the shaft 11 and are pivotally connectedwith the ring member K; If, therefore, the right-hand line be given aslight pull, the shaft 71 will be turned through a part of a revolutionin such a manner that the arms 70 will move the ring mem-. ber Kforwardly, moving the locking dog It out of engagement with the gear andmoving a dog or toothed member kt which is secured to the ring memberinto engagement with the gear H. The yoke i and the shaft 2' connectedtherewith may then be turned in either direction by pulling on one orthe other of the two steering lines, the yoke member i turning about theaxis of the shaft 2' and carrying with it the ring-member 70 which inturn moves the steering. gear in either directionby means of the dog70*.

As soon as thetension on the lines is re-' leased, the spring k willpush dog back into its lockin position and will the locking also pushthe ring mem er Kback into a position to move the steering dog or toothlo out of engagement with the gear H. Any

other means for steering the tractor may be used. r When it is desiredto use the tractor without the line driving mechanism,'the locm'ng dogis can be held out of its locking position. This is done in theconstruction shown by providing'a hole 70 in the locking dog-Ir, andarranging a pin is in the guide housing h in such a manner that thepin'may enter into the hole 70 of the locking dog when the same is inits unlocked position, to'hold the dog in this position. The steeringwheel I may then be used to steer the tractor. The .pin 70 is preferablyprovided with outwardly extending portions 70' which may engage a partof the guide housing h when the pin is turned to hold the same out ofits locked engagement with the locking dog when it is desired to use theline steering mechanism.

Steering devices of any other suitable kind or construction may beemployed.

The housings D of the sides of. the tractor each contain a suitablesource of power, such as an internal combustion engine L, a change speedgear mechanism L, and a clutch L all of which parts may be 'of anysuitable or desired construction. Power is transmitted from the engineto the rear wheelin anysuitable manner, for example, by means of asprocket wheel Z connected by means of a chain Z to a sprocket wheel Zrigidly secured on the rear, axle. The sprocket chains Z, sprocketwheels Z and adjacent parts are preferably enclosed in substantiallydust proof housings Z, Fig. 3, which are secured to the side frames andwhich prevent injury to the moving parts due to dirt, dust and otherforeign matter. The clutches L which control the transmission of powerfrom the engines L to the rear wheels are, in the construction shown,actuated by means of levers l pivoted at Z to the frame of the tractor.These levers are connected at their upper ends to horizontally arrangedlevers Z pivoted at 1 on the frame of the tractor. One of these leversis connected directly to an arch-shaped lever M which is pivoted at m toswing about a horizontal axis in such a manner that .the two lower endsof the archshaped lever .will swingforwardly or rearwardly together. Attheside of the frame on which the steering wheel is arranged, the end ofthe lever M is connected to a link m to which a rod m is pivotallysecured, the rod m being connected to a clutch-actuating lever m. Whenthe lever m is actuated to push the rod m forwardly, the connecting linkm moves the end of the lever Z connected therewith and the lower end ofthe,

archeshaped lever M forwardly, causing the opposite end of the lever Mto move forwardly to move the corresponding end of the lever 1*connected therewith forwardly. The two levers l actuate the levers l toactuate the clutches. Clutch actuating means of any other suitableconstruction may employed, if desired.

Means are preferably provided whereby one or another of the clutches isdisengaged when the steering mechanism is turned to make .a short turn.In the construction shown for this purpose, the rod k which extends tothe steering knuckle on the front wheel of the right-hand frame member,is provided with a collar or projection n which is adapted to st ike thelever Z to actuate the clutch on the right-hand side of the tractor todisengage the same when the tractor is making a short turn to the right.When the steering mechanism-is actuated to make a corresponding turn tothe left, the clutch on the left-hand side of the tractor is disengagedby means of a collar or pro-' jection n arranged on the steering rod hand adapted to engage an arm n? pivotally connected to the link Z on.the left-hand side of the tractor. When the projection n eng s the armn to move t wardly, the clutch on the left-hand side of the tractor willbe rendered inoperative without interfering with the operation of theclutch on( the right-hand side of the tractor, so that a short turn tothe left can be'efiected.

In order to enable the change speed mechanism on the two sides of thetractor to be simultaneously actuated, curved or arched-shaped levers Oand O are provided which 0 erate in a manner similar to the levers meansof levers o and 0' respectively. The arch-shaped structure oftheselevers conforms substantially with the shape of the connecting portion Bof the tractor and makes it possible to use the tractor between rows ofplants. When the body G is see same for-' and h and which are actuatedby one wheel ,to sink into a mud hole or soft place. If one wheel entersinto a soft spot in a field, the other wheels remaining on hard groundwill carry an increased weight, thusv in many cases preventing thestalling of the tractor. The arrangement of the two engines as describedhas the advantageof eliminating the differential gears commonly used,which have many objectionable features, and of enabling the tractor tobe used even if one of the engines becomes stalled. The archedconnecting member adds greatly to the usefulness of this machine sinceit can be used between rows of plants without injurirg'the same. The useof the line steering mechanism described enables an operator to haveperfect control of the tractorwithout rldmg on the same, so that one mancan do be the same work with this tractor that would rtauire two men intractors of other kinds. A er the tractor is started in the rightdirection, the releasing of the lines will cause the steering mechanismto be locked so that the operator can devote his entire attention totheapparatus drawn by the tractor.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a tractor, thecombination of rigid side frames, front and rear.wheels mounted on said rigid side frames, and an archshaped connecting.member havin its lower portions connected to said side ames and having araised intermediate portion leaving a relatively high clear spaceintermediate of said side frames.

2. In a tractor, the combination of rigid side frames, front and rearwheels mounted on said rigid side frames, and a rigidarchsh'aped-connecting member having its lower portions rigidlyconnected to said side frames and having an upwardly extendingintermediate portion.

3. In a tractor, the combination of a pair of side frames, comprisinfront and rear portions and an intermediate. portion, said portionsbeing rigidly connected, an independent source of'power on each of saidside frames, a ground wheel on each side frame driven from said source.of power, and

means for rigidly connecting said side frames.

. 4. In a tractor, the combination of a pair of rigid side frames, anindependent source of power front and rear wheel supports for each ofsaid side frames and rigidly connected withsaidhousings, in each of saidside frames, 9. housing in each of said side frames for said source ofpower, and means for rigidly connecting said side frames.

5. In a tractor, the combination .of a pair (ill) 1 axle on which sai-wheel is secured, a bear of rigid side frames, comprising front andrear portions and an intermediate portion, said portions being rigidlyconnected, a source of power arranged in said intermediate portions, anda connecting member secured to said two side frames.

6b In a tractor, the combination of a pair of rigid side frames havingfront and rear portions each comprising a substantially vertical plateand flanged members on said plate,-intermediate frame portions to whichsaid front and rear portions are secured and which form housings, asource of power in each of said housings, and means connecting saidframe members.

7. ln a tractor, the combination of a pair of rigid side frames havingfront and rear portions each comprising a substantially vertical plateand flanged members on said plate intermediate frame portionsto whichsaid front and rear portions are secured and,

which form housings, a source of power in each of said housings, and apair of archshaped connecting members of substantially channel-shapedcross-section and having their ends connected to said flanged members atthe ends of said housings. Y

8. In a tractor, the combination of side frames having wheels and asubstantially arch-Shaped connecting member secured'at its ends to saidside frames, a steering mech-,

anism arranged on one of said side frames and connected with one of thewheels of said side frame, a lever curved to conform with the shape ofsaid connecting member and pivoted intermediate of its ends on'saidconnectingmember, and connections between said steering mechanismand-said lever and between said lever and one of the wheels of saidother frame.

9. In, a tractor, the combination of'side frames having wheels, and asubstantially arch-shaped connecting member secured at its ends to saidside frames, a source of power in each of said side frames, clutches forconnecting said sources of power to said wheels, controlling devices forsaid tractor anged on one of said side-frames and includin a steeringmechanism and means for actuating actuating mechanism from one sideframe to the other. 4

10, In a tractor, the combination of a pair of rigid side frames, eachhaving a rear pertion 'includin a substantially vertical plate,

a slot exten ing upwardly into said plate from the lower ed ethereof,arwheel, a stud ing for said axle pivotally connected with said plateand extending into said slot, and a spring connecting said bearing andsaid frame,

ll. lln a tractor, the combination of a pair of rigid side frames eachhaving arear portion including a substantially vertical plate, a slotextendin upwardl into said plate from the lower 1" thereo a wheel, studaxle on which sai wheel is secured, a bearin for said axle, an armsecured to said bearin and extending substantially parallel to saidplate and pivotally secured thereto and a spring secured to said sideframe an said bearing,

12. lln a tractor, the combination of a pair of rigid side frames eachhaving a rear portion including a substantially vertical plate, a slotexmnding upwardlyinto said whee a stud axle on which said wheel issecured, a bearing for said axle extending into said slot, arms rigidlysecured to said bearing and extending to the opposite sides of saidplate, one of said arms being pivota ly secured to said plate and theother arm beingmovable relative to said plate, whereby the arms hold thebearing against lateral movement relatively to the sideframe.

13. In a tractor, the combination of a pair of rigid side frames eachhaving a rear ortion including a substantially vertical p ate, a slotextending upwardl into said plate from the lower edge thereo a wheel, astud axle on which said wheel is secured, a bearing for said axleextending into said slot, arms rigidly secured to mad bearin andextending to the oppon'te sides of sai plate andarranged atan angle toeach other,

a pivotal connection between one of sai arms and said plate ermittingsaid bearin to move vertically re ative to said plate, an means forpreventing said other arm from moving in a direction away from saidplate and a spring connecting said bearing and said frame.

it. in a power propelled vehicle the combination of side frames, eachhaving a rear portion includin a substantially vertical plate, asubstantially upright slot in said plate a wheel, a stud axle on whichsaid wheel is secured, a bearing for. said axle pivotallyconnected withsaid vehicle and extending into said slot and movable therein whileswinging about the pivot of said hearing, and a spring/connecting saidbearing and said frame.

15, a In a power propelled vehicle, the combination of a frame havingsubstantially upriht members at opposite sides provided withsubstantially upright guide slots, an axle extending through each slot,bearings for said axle also arranged in said slots, arms secured on saidbearingsand extending substantially at right angles to said slots and1plate from the lower edge thereof, ay

Jill) pivoted at one end so as to permit said bearare 16. a tractor, thecombination of rigid side frames, wheels supporting said side frames, anarch-shaped connecting member having its lower portions connected tosaid side frames and having a raised intermedi-' ate portion, means onone of said side frames for controlling the speed and operation of saidtractor, a steering mechanism adapted "to be actuated from the samesi'deof the tractor, and a series of arch-shaped levers conformingsubstantially in sha e to said connecting member and pivote thereon,said levers transmitting movements of said steering mechanism and saidcontrolling mechanisms from one side frame of the tractor to the otherside frame.

' 17. In a tractor, the combination of rigid side frames, wheelssupporting said side frames, an arch-shaped connecting member having itslower portions connected to said side frames and'having a raisedintermediate portion, means on one of said' side frames for controllingthe speed and operation of said tractor, a steering mechanism adapted tobe actuated from the same'side of the trdctor, and a series ofarch-shape levers conforming substantially in shape said connectingmember and pivoted the con to swing about a substantially horizontalaxis so that the lower end of said levers connect with the steering andcontrolling devices at one sideof the tractor and transmit the motion ofsaid devices to the other side of the tractor.

18. In a tractor, the combination of rigid side frames, wheelssupporting said s1de frames, an arch-shaped connecting member having itslower portions connected to saidside frames, and a body detachablysecured to said side frames and extending between said side frames.

19. In a tractor, the combination of rigid sid frames, wheels supportingsaid slde fra es, an arch-shaped connecting, member having its lowerportions connected to said 'side f a and having a raised intermediateportion, said connecting member including two arch-shaped steel membersarranged with their longest web in a substantially upright plane andspaced apart, and tanks conforming substantially in curvature to saidconnectlng member and arranged between said steel members.

20. In a tractor, the combination of rigid side frames, wheelssupporting saidside frames and a connecting member rigidly secured tosaid side frames and including two arch-shaped channel members securedat their lower ends to said side frames and arranged with their largestweb in a substantially upright plane, a water tank and a fuel tank conorming. substantially to the curvature of said connecting member andarranged in the space between said two channel members.

21. In a tractor, the combination of two rigid side frame and aconnecting member secured "tosaid slde frames, a driving wheel and asteering wheel for each of said side frames, said steering wheel beingarranged in a frame having a substantially vertical pivot, a bearing insaid side frameJin which said pivot is journaled, and steering mechanismconnecting with said pivot.

'22. In a tractor, the combination of two rigid side frames and aconnecting member secured to said side frames, a driving wheel and asteering wheel for each of said side frames, said steering wheel beingarranged in a frame having a substantially vertlcal pivot, a housing forsaid wheel arranged at the lower end of said pivot and forming amud-guard, a spring connecting said housing and said wheel, and abearing in the side in which said vertical pivot is 1ournaled.

1 ZVit-ness my hand, this 21st day of June,

LYMAN B. HORTON.

Witnesses:

Room R. WARNER, ETHAN W. -JUDD.

